Minnesota 10/15/12 duluthnewstribune.com: by Park Rapids Enterprise – A Minnesota grouse hunter shot and killed a wolf that attacked and was chasing his dog on state forest land southeast of Park Rapids earlier this month. According to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Sam Hunter of Park Rapids, two men were grouse hunting on Oct. 6 in the Huntersville State Forest in northern Wadena County. Both had a pair of German shorthaired pointer dogs with them. During the hunt, one of the men’s dogs came dodging back through the woods, yelping. An adult male wolf weighing 90 pounds was in pursuit. The hunter waited until he could get a clear shot and killed the wolf, Hunter said. She said she could not say with certainty why the wolf became aggressive, but said the hunter was within his legal right to kill the animal. People are allowed to kill wolves to protect themselves, or in the case of immediate harm to pets or livestock, Hunter said. She reported that the wolf was shot from about eight yards away as it closed in on the dogs and the hunter. It was felled with birdshot ammo. The hunters reported the incident immediately, and Hunter photographed the dead animal. Hunter said such encounters are rare because wolves are notoriously shy of humans. “Enforcement action was not necessary,” she wrote in her weekly report. “It was a frightening experience during a grouse hunting trip that will not soon be forgotten.” – For photo of dead wolf see http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/246497/

Lyme Disease:

Massachusetts 10/15/12 wickedlocal.com: by Sara Mulkeen – Westborough is one of the latest towns in the MetroWest area to consider permitting deerhunting on public lands in order to curtail populations. Although towns have varying regulations on where hunting is allowed and what weapons can be used, some that have recently implemented new guidelines – such as Dover, Medfield, Framingham and Weston – have found residents willing to embrace bow hunting as a means of reducing car collisions with deer and the spread of Lyme disease. – For complete article see http://www.wickedlocal.com/westborough/features/x1272739511/More-towns-consider-deer-hunting-to-curtail-population#axzz29QUROjcf

Texas 10/15/12 Travis County: A boy, 14, is being treated for potential exposure to rabies after he was attacked by a coyote near his home in northwest Austin. The animal was not captured and wildlife professionals hope to trap the animal. Neighbors say there are aggressive coyotes in the vicinity. – See http://www.kvue.com/news/Austin-teen-says-coyote-attacked-him-174283131.html

Texas 10/15/12 thehorse.com: by Erica Larson – More than 70 Texas horses have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in 2012, according to statistics from the Texas Department of State Health Services. On Oct. 15 the department reported through its website that 72 horses residing in 49 Texas counties had been confirmed positive since the beginning of the year. The majority of those counties are located in the eastern half of the state, with just a handful being confirmed in West Texas. – See http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20779

Wisconsin 10/15/12 EauClairCounty: Authorities are looking for a dog that bit a young man at the Roosevelt school playground near the basketball hoops at 908 Folsum Street, in the city of EauClair, on Sunday, October 14, 2012 around 6:30 p.m. The dog is described as a smaller dog that was with a young woman. The woman had dark blond, or light brown hair. The dog became loose when the victim approached to retrieve a basketball, and bit the young man. The health and rabies status of the dog needs to be determined. If anyone has information about this animal, they should contact the Eau Claire Communications Center at 839-4972.

Jerry Genesio

Author of "UNSEEN HAZARDS That Threaten Hunters, Campers, and Hikers: What you should know about pathogens commonly found in wildlife."

This is where wildlife and healthcare professionals, hunters, campers, hikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will find interesting information about natural unseen hazards that place them at risk. As my book focused exclusively on Rabies, Tetanus (Lockjaw), Tularemia (Rabbit Fever), Brucellosis (Undulant Fever), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Borrelia (Lyme Disease), posts regarding these six diseases will be limited to more recent developments and items of interest that were not included or were not available when the book was published in June of 2009. Topics will also include Chronic Wasting Disease, West Nile Virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and other diseases of particular interest to those who work and play in the great American outdoors.

Don’t Be Afraid – Be Aware!

The Natural Unseen Hazards blog is available to all free of charge and is maintained as a public service.

If you have questions related to pathogens commonly found in wildlife, e.g. the disease caused by a specific pathogen, hosts, vectors, symptoms, treatment, territorial range, etc., please comment here or e-mail to jerrygenesio@gmail.com and I will attempt to provide answers.

"Chance favors the prepared mind."
Louis Pasteur

Unless otherwise noted, images have been provided by the CDC Public Health Image Library, Wikimedia Commons, the National Park Service or other government agencies, Bing.com, and/or Google.com.

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
Marie Curie

"It's better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret."
Jackie Joyner Kersee